HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tucker, H. A. Articles by Meites, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Tucker, H. A. Articles by Meites, J.

Induction of Lactation in Pregnant Heifers with 9-Fluoroprednisolone Acetate¹

Departments of Dairy and Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing

ABSTRACT

Recent experiments have indicated that adrenal glucocorticoids can initiate milk secretion in laboratory animals before or during mid-pregnancy without disturbing the pregnant state (4, 5, 7). In pregnant rats (7) or mice (5) prolactin was unable to initiate milk secretion, whereas in pregnant rabbits (4) either prolactin or Cortisol acetate initiated lactation.

Most workers agree that adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) or Cortisol administration depresses established lactation in the cow (1, 2, 6). However, relatively large doses of these hormones were employed. The possibility that these hormones in proper doses might be able to initiate or stimulate lactation in cattle has not been investigated.

PROCEDURES AND RESULTS

A total of ten pregnant Holstein heifers was used in these preliminary experiments. Four heifers, each pregnant approximately three and one-half months, were divided equally into control and experimental groups. The two experimental animals were injected intramuscularly, daily for seven days, with 10 mg of 9-fluoroprednisolone acetate (Predef),² followed by injections of 15 mg per day for eight days. The control heifers received no treatment during this period.

¹ Journal Article 3511 from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station.